A Season with Mark DeRosa and Brandon Belt

Hold the Obituary Please – Mark DeRosa

As I sit here today, icing my left wrist, I’m in two places.

On the one hand, I’m not willing to buy into stories that say this is a career-ending injury. On Wednesday, I’ll see the doctor in Cleveland who did the original surgery. When I talked to him on the phone, he seemed pretty optimistic. He said he’s seen this happen before with the kind of surgery I had. More surgery is not necessarily the answer. So I’m pretty encouraged.

And what people might not understand is that even though I’m 36, I was just a spot player for the first five years of my career. I had a total of maybe 500 to 600 at-bats, which is what most full-time players have in one season. So I have a lot of swings left in my arms and hands.

On the other hand, I’m a realist. I know now that my wrist was the reason I was 0-for-23 since coming off the DL. My left wrist and hand are the keys to my hitting. I’m not a top-hand guy who tries to pull everything. I try to swing through the ball and drive it up the middle. But I could feel my top hand totally taking over. Which is why I was rolling a lot of balls to third. And why I wasn’t getting around on fastballs, a problem I’ve never had.

The crazy-making part was that I had no pain. So I didn’t think it was the wrist. I walked into Bochy’s office two weeks ago and asked him to trust me and play me and give me a shot to prove myself. As the 0-fers mounted, I’d go home or the hotel and try to figure out what was wrong. . I hardly got the ball out of the infield. I had noticed something off in batting practice. I’d hit balls and it would feel the same as always but the balls were landing 20 feet in front of where they usually did.

Even after 23 at-bats without a hit, I continued to chalk it up to being rusty.

Until the burst of pain in Los Angeles last Wednesday.

So the big question for my doctor is: What are the chances that I’ll play again at the level I’m accustomed to playing?

If he says I could be a contributing player if I spent the next year rehabbing, I would do it, even though I know it would be emotionally tough to sit out another season. And I’m cognizant of the possibility that I could be doing long-term damage to my wrist if I keep playing. I don’t want to end up, down the road, unable to play catch with my son or golf with my friends.

But I love this game. I love being on this team with these guys. When I came off the DL earlier this season, the team was struggling a little bit. Someone said to me, “Glad you’re coming back. They really need you.’’

Mark, I’m glad you will do whatever it takes to get a few more years back out on the field. I hope to see you play again. Regardless of what happens with your wrist, you belong in baseball in some capacity. All the sports announcers like Kruk, Kuip, Byrnes, Murph and Mac say you are the best interview in baseball and very well-liked. With your intelligence, knowledge, wit and charm (yes, you definitely have charm!), you would make a great broadcaster. Or perhaps a coach. I think we will be seeing you for a long time, but first and foremost, back in your uniform. Good luck!

I have always admired your character through your entire time with the Giants. I believe I can speak for every Giants fan when I say that you have our complete support. Your value to this team does not need to be proven.

Hey Mark, we love you in the Bay, and we hate watching you have this nagging injury. You’re still a great Giant on and off the field. Hopefully you heal up and can be back out there next year, we want to see you do what we know you can do!

Mark — we truly wish you a speedy recovery, more for your peace of mind. We all know how much of an impact you were to the 2010 victories regardless of whether you played or not. Your optimism, peer coaching, and cheerleading didn’t go unnoticed. Stay strong, champ!

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